2026 4-star EDGE Zavion Griffin-Haynes commits to North Carolina

Rolesville (N.C.) EDGE Zavion Griffin-Haynes visited Chapel Hill on Saturday to see North Carolina defeat Charlotte 38-20. Mack Brown and the Tar Heels moved to 2-0 this season and the ACC program landed a big commitment.

The No. 110 prospect in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking committed to North Carolina.

“I wasn’t planning to commit this weekend, I just had that feeling,” Griffin-Haynes told On3. “I felt the love. Coach Ted Mo, coach Mack and coach Lindsey have all been recruiting me the hardest since they offered me.

“They made me feel like a priority and they have a relationship with my family. They always are making sure me and my family are good. Those relationships, North Carolina being in my state and this felt like the best decision.”

Griffin-Haynes chose North Carolina over schools like Florida State, Miami, NC State, Ohio State and Tennessee.

A key reason for his high interest in the Tar Heels from the beginning is because of defensive line coach Ted Monachino. 

“He coached in the league for around 20 years and coached some of the best EDGE rushers in the NFL like Khalil Mack,” Griffin-Haynes said. “I would love to get coached by him. The position they’re going to put me in and Coach Mo does a great job at that. They develop players, have great facilities and are a great school overall.”